Hot Springs Near Division Bm

North Slope Borough County, Alaska · Near Barrow
66.3670°N, 156.7670°W · 1,150 ft
140°F 1,150 ft Restricted Backcountry US Fish and Wildlife Service
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 140°F, the source water at Hot Springs Near Division Bm is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking. Always test the water temperature before entering.

Aerial view of the ground around Hot Springs Near Division Bm

The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Hot Springs Near Division BM is the name on file for a set of hot springs on the Selawik National Wildlife Refuge, about sixty miles from Barrow in the North Slope Borough. The water comes out at 140 degrees, far too hot to sit in at the source. Access is restricted. Thirty-odd miles of roadless ground lie between the springs and the nearest road, and the record describes no pool and no trail.

Fish and Wildlife Service refuge, about eleven hundred feet up. The last road is a long way back, with no name on record, and it is backcountry all the way in. Cold and dry: the yearly mean is in the mid twenties and precipitation is under two feet, though snow still piles past five feet.

December through February carry the best-month flag on file. The Selawik refuge restricts access; ask first. The water will scald at the source, and there is no recorded cool-down pool, so do not assume one. No campground, no fee on record.

Terrain

USGS hasn't flown a detailed laser scan here yet, so this view comes from aerial photos and older elevation data.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the northwest.
Highest ground nearby
468 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northwest
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from northwest to southeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Monthly Climate
-6°
Jan
Feb
Mar
23°
Apr
40°
May
53°
Jun
56°
Jul
50°
Aug
39°
Sep
25°
Oct
Nov
-3°
Dec
Annual Precip: 22.5 in Annual Snow: 66.5 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air -6°F · Water 140°F · +146° contrast
December Air -3°F · Water 140°F · +143° contrast
February Air 0°F · Water 140°F · +140° contrast
January offers 62°F more contrast than July
Temperature
140°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 140°F (60°C)
Avg Air Temp 24°F
Above Ambient +116°F
Perfect soaking weather September
Access
Restricted
Road Access Backcountry
Distance to Road 30.7 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency US Fish and Wildlife Service
Designation National Wildlife Refuge
Unit Selawik National Wildlife Refuge
Manager US Fish and Wildlife Service
Protection 1 - Permanent protection, natural state
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Hot Springs Near Division Bm?
Hot Springs Near Division Bm has a water temperature of 140°F (60°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Hot Springs Near Division Bm located?
Hot Springs Near Division Bm is located in North Slope Borough, Alaska at 1,150 feet elevation, near Barrow. Coordinates: 66.3670°N, 156.7670°W.
How do I get to Hot Springs Near Division Bm?
Hot Springs Near Division Bm has Backcountry road access (30.7 mi from the road).
Is Hot Springs Near Division Bm free to visit?
Hot Springs Near Division Bm has Restricted access. It is managed by US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Is it safe to soak at Hot Springs Near Division Bm?
With care. At 140°F Hot Springs Near Division Bm is hot enough to need short sessions, fifteen to twenty minutes, and plenty of water. Enter slowly and get out if you feel light-headed.